The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-03-16

Our Harrisburg Letter.
From o.rr specsaf Correspondent
HARRIsBuRe. March l2. 1857
fhe week has been one Of work and bnsi
ness in the House. notwithstanding the efFort
on the part Of many well-rneaning member
70 prevent IT, Before the House adjournel
ou last FRIDAY, resolution passed to linIii
the speeches 10 i've, and not to ex,ssetl ten
minutes on each bill. when under discus
sion While this resolution has TO a certain
extent been disregarded, il has had saluta-
~ effect Talk is cheap. however, and there
j. any amount Of It here. 1t j. a mistaken
I notion that the member who tioss the most
talking and makes the greatest number OF
I speeches has the most influence. and can do
I the most 20 bring about good legislation He
/ soon talks himself to death, and his useful
1 ness is gone still, he must have his say on
every bill, and much valuable time is thus
consumed, without accomplishing any good
( whatever
I The bill for an act authorizing and requir-
ing school directors TO pay school teachers
employed, passed third reading on Tuesday
with an amendment. II i doubtful ifit viii
pass finally, as it met with considerable op-
position
The Motor Traction BILL p designed orig
inaIly for Pittsburgh, was amended in the
Senate and sent to the House for concur
renee. was called up by Robertson. from that
city. Il took the remainder Of the day, but
passed by the majority required by the Con
stitution, and all it now needs l. the sigma
ture Of the Governor, TO become law. The
Law as now passed Is general, and applies to
al cities in the state which have. or may
have, passenger railways. The great DIFF
ference between the interests Of the two cit
les, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh made 1t
very difficult to legislate 50 as to suit both
cities. foremost of which WIS the six-cent
fare clause it finally passed without any
such clause. A strong effort viii be made
to have the Governor withhold his signature
but it is generally believed that he vii
sign it.
Had not the motor traction bill been tax
en- up the bank bill would have been next
iu order but the gentleman who had the bill
in charge did not seem very anxious that it
should come up; It is very doubtful if il
viii pass, there being strong opposition to it
becoming law.
On Wednesday the day for second read
ing Of bills. and On motion, the Revenue bill
was made special order for that day This
is what is commonly called the tax bill, and
is of much Importance 1t has many features
of the act Of 1885, and makes some radical
changes. 1t exempts personal property from
taxation for State parposes-such a house
hold furniture, gold and silver plate, owned
bv any person also treasurers commits
sions and watches 1t provides that one
half of the net amount of taxes which shall
be collected and paid under the Act shall be
refunded 70 the county or city for local pur-
poses, and thus relive them The act. if it
becomes u law. taxes all corporation partner
ships. companies and persons three mills on
personal prUperty-excepting the manufac-
turing corporations which does not apply To
liquor manufacturers and the manufacturers
Of sas. This last clause was rejected after
spirited debate, and a the bill now stands
all manufacturing corporations will be taxed,
which is but right and just The bill occu-
pied two full days was fully and ably dis
ctIssed. and it Is believed that it will pass
third reading without much opposition and
that it will become law It Is an improve
ment on the law of 1855. and has the basis Of
a good and substantial revenue law, and
with some amendments and alterations in
the future. it is believed that il can be made
very acceptable 10 the people Of the State. It
is very difficult however. TO pass general
revenue bill for the whole state. with her
varied interests and different resources. The
greatest good to the greatest number must be
the rule which a wise legislature will
adopt.
The Senate did nothing Of any importance
this week. The six months school bill has
not been reached yet, nor will it be for some
time
Both Houses were treated to lecture ON
Wednesday evening. from Mrs Hindman,
on Woman's suffrage There was nothing
new in the lecture. it being simply a rebash
of the old question
The joint resolution proposing an amend
ment to the Constitution giving women the
right TO vote. viii likely pass the House TO
submit the question 10 the voters 1t Is 70
he regretted that the time Of the Legislature.
which is certainly getting valuable, shouldbe
wasted in such fjoliShne-s
The Senate Judiciary General Committee
are a tie on she Anti Discrimination bill be-
fore them, and as VET none has been report
ed By party vote on Thursday, the bill
as prepared by the caucus committee was or
dered 10 be reported, and will be placed on
the calendar.
Last Tuesday was Hon. Simon CamerOns
Ssth birthday He had but recently return
al from the Bermuda Isles, where he found
life too slow, and too far from civilization.
and spent the day at his home in Harrisburg.
He was the recipient of flowers, congratuia-
tory JelegraHI,, and a large number Of callers
including the Governor. and many members
of the Legislature The House unanimously
passed resolution extending it, compIi-
meurs 20 80 a statesman and diplomat Of
worldwide fame. Of whom Pennsylvania is
justly proud with the hope that he may
long be spared 70 his native state fhe
kindly expressions of every one irrespective
Of party, Of genuine friendship. shows IN
what high esteem and regard tieneral Came
ron is held. and emphasizes the truth Of
Kind hearts are more than corouets.
And simple faith than Norman blood.
He stands to-day a perfect type of Penn
sylvania manhood grand, noble. kind
hearted and high-minded He was for more I
than eighteen years United states senator
from his State. Minister 70 Russia. Secretary
OF War, and has figured in State and Nation /
al politics for more than half century.
More anon.
PHuIP. {